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Langer Speechless: Smith's 'Brainless' Ashes Dismissal
5 Jan
Summary
- Jamie Smith criticized for a bizarre shot resulting in his dismissal.
- Former players like Langer and Finn labeled the shot 'brainless' and 'rubbish'.
- Joe Root defended Smith's intent to score quickly before the new ball.
Former Australian coach Justin Langer expressed his disbelief at Jamie Smith's dismissal during a crucial Ashes match. Smith was criticized for playing a "brainless" shot off Marnus Labuschagne's bowling, leading to his departure for 46 runs. This decision, made shortly before the new ball was due, left commentators and former players, including Steven Finn, stunned.
Langer, who had previously worked with Smith, described the dismissal as "rubbish" and beyond comprehension, especially given the importance of protecting the wicket and supporting Joe Root, who was batting well. Despite the criticism, Root defended Smith's aggressive intent, stating the team aimed to maximize scoring opportunities before facing the challenging new ball.
The match saw England bowled out for 386, with Australia trailing by 218 runs. Travis Head's 91 runs helped cut the deficit. This incident highlights a point of contention regarding England's batting strategy and player performance during the series.
